More than a fifth of private parking enforcement companies have been suspended
as fears grow over powers to allow them to dish out fines of up to £100.

The suspensions, by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, have taken place within weeks of the Government banning clamping on private land.

Motoring organisations fear at least another 500,000 private tickets will be issued on top of the current two million fines already handed out a year by enforcement companies, as they seek to fill in the void created by the clamping ban,

In all 27 approved companies, who monitor private car parks, shopping centres and motorway service areas, have been given access to motorists’ details held by the DVLA.

But the new system, which allows private fines to replace clamping has already been called into question by the DVLA decision to suspend six of the companies.

“We used to get intimidation from clampers,” said Paul Watters of the AA.

Related Articles

“Now intimidation will come through the letterbox with official looking paperwork, threatening to call in debt collectors if the fine is not paid.”

Clamping on private land was outlawed in England and Wales at the start of October as part of a package of measures aimed at regulating the lucrative private parking industry, whose activities have enraged motoring organisations.

Under the changes introduced by the Government the maximum private fine has been limited to £100 and operators requiring access to the DVLA database must be members of the industry trade body, the British Parking Association and adhere to its code of practice.

The breaches are understood to involve transgressions over signs warning motorists that they could be fined, the companies’ websites or the wording used on the Parking Charge Notices - private parking tickets - issued to motorists.

It is understood the offending companies are alleged to have misled motorists by saying the car’s owner would be liable for any fines.

This could have led to motorists being pursued for penalties when they were not the driver at the time and therefore not legally bound to pay up.

The BPA, however, has not expelled the companies and Patrick Troy, the Association’s chief executive has leapt to the defence of companies he described as “reputable operators with a long history of providing good service to landowners and respect to motorists”.

In a letter to BPA members, Patrick Troy, the Association’s chief executive, has described the action as “disproportionate” and asked ministers to intervene.

But Stephen Hammond, the roads minister, has refused to back down. “We take our responsibility to protect information seriously,” he said.

"If it is brought to our attention that a company does not meet the necessary standards, we will investigate. If the allegations are proven we will stop the release of keeper information to them."

A BPA spokesman defended its decision not to expel the offending companies. “The companies in question are in fact only guilty of trying to close the loophole on Keeper Liability, something which the government has now addressed with legislation.

“Whilst the DVLA are in a position to simply disqualify companies, where even a minor contravention takes place, we have a responsibility to keep members within the framework of self-regulation except where serious breaches occur.”

But its approach was condemned by Barrie Segal, who runs the AppealNow website which contests parking tickets.

“The British Parking Association puts itself up as the guardian of the public in dealing with cowboy clampers and rogue private ticket issuers.

“Some of these companies put pressure on motorists to pay up, even when there is not always an obligation to do so.”

“But despite this the BPA still represents and seeks to defend companies which have been suspended by the DVLA.”